Inside the temporary camp in the mountain wall crevice, the atmosphere was somewhat complex. The relief and excitement of surviving a disaster surged in everyone's hearts like a warm current, yet beneath this warmth was mixed heaviness and sorrow that could not be ignored.
After about two hours of emergency meditation and healing, most people's spiritual power had recovered significantly, and some light injuries had stabilized under the nourishment of pills and residual purification power. Eldest Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng removed the simple formations at the entrance, and daylight streamed in, illuminating faces still bearing traces of fatigue, and the flames burning even more firmly deep in their eyes.
"Fellow disciples," Mu Qingfeng's voice rang out in the somewhat narrow space, steady and powerful, "we have just experienced a life-and-death battle, facing Shadow Snake Pavilion elites several times our number and far surpassing our strength. We... held our ground!"
His gaze slowly swept over every face, seeing spines straightened despite injuries, eyes sharpened through the tempering of blood and fire.
"In this battle, we defeated the strong with the weak, repelled a Nascent Soul demon cultivator, heavily injured his Golden Core subordinates, and killed and wounded countless claws! This is sufficient proof that the demonic path is not invincible! As long as we cultivators of the righteous path maintain righteous hearts and unite as one, even when surrounded by powerful enemies, we have the power to fight!" Mu Qingfeng's voice gradually rose, carrying an inspiring force, "Through this battle, I believe everyone's dao heart will become more stable, and sword edges will become sharper! This is tempering, and also opportunity!"
These words were like stones thrown into a still lake, instantly stirring ripples. Several young disciples' chests involuntarily straightened, and the light in their eyes grew even more intense. Indeed, they had faced the notorious Shadow Snake Pavilion's Silver-Faced Envoy, demon cultivators far above their cultivation level, yet they had not collapsed, not surrendered. Instead, in desperation, they had erupted with astonishing power, killing their way through a path of survival! This experience was undoubtedly precious wealth for their future cultivation journeys. A high fighting spirit, a cohesive force, quietly sprouted and grew in the team. This team, originally just temporarily assembled with perhaps some unfamiliarity among members, had transformed through the baptism of blood and fire into a true team that could entrust life and death to each other, fighting side by side.
However, Mu Qingfeng's tone shifted, becoming low and solemn: "But the price of victory was heavy. We... lost two fellow disciples."
He stepped aside, revealing behind him two bodies leaning against the rock wall, their appearances tidied and covered with clean cloth. These were the two junior disciples who had unfortunately been dragged down by ghostly hands in the Silver-Faced Envoy's demonic mire domain and could not be rescued in time. The terror on their faces seemed not yet completely dissipated, silently recounting the cruelty of the battle.
The originally somewhat uplifted atmosphere instantly froze. Everyone's gaze focused on those two bodies, their eyes filled with grief and pain. They might not have had much daily interaction, but as fellow Qingxu Temple disciples entering the secret realm together, they were now forever separated. A sense of tragic sadness spread like the sorrow of a rabbit mourning a fox.
"Junior Disciple Zhang, Junior Disciple Li..." a disciple who had been familiar with the deceased choked out, his eyes reddening.
Mu Qingfeng took a deep breath and continued: "Additionally, Junior Disciple Wang's left arm meridians were too deeply eroded by demonic qi. Though treated, his future cultivation may be affected. Junior Disciple Zhao's internal organs were shaken and require long periods of quiet recuperation. There are also multiple minor injuries and excessive spiritual power consumption." With each sentence he spoke, everyone's heart grew heavier. Counting up, this team of ten had lost two members, with one heavily injured and everyone else bearing wounds—heavy losses indeed.
The cruelty of reality, like cold spring water, extinguished some of the fever brought by victory, making everyone clearly recognize that this was a secret realm full of dangers, where every battle could exact the price of life.
In the silence and mourning, almost everyone's gaze involuntarily turned again to that youth sitting in the corner, his face still somewhat pale—Tang Xiao Qi.
If Mu Qingfeng's leadership and Liu Yun's strong offense were the foundation that stabilized their position, then Tang Xiao Qi was the key person who turned the tide twice at the team's most critical moments!
The first time was that purification light that dispersed the demonic mire, suppressed the demon cultivators, and even disturbed the Silver-Faced Envoy! That sacred and pure radiance not only saved the lives of multiple fellow disciples but also greatly weakened the enemy's strength, broke the domain's suppression, and created a decisive opportunity for counterattack.
The second time was that earth-shattering sword strike containing strange sword intent! With middle Foundation Establishment cultivation, he head-on defeated a late Golden Core peak demon cultivator's full-power strike, even destroying his magical artifact and heavily injuring his origin! This sword strike not only directly established the victory but also greatly shocked the remaining enemies, accelerating the Shadow Snake Pavilion's defeat.
These two moves, one vast in scope, one extremely sharp, both displayed power far beyond his own cultivation level—miraculous power!
Now, in everyone's hearts, Tang Xiao Qi's image had undergone an earth-shaking change. He was no longer merely the "junior brother" with average aptitude, some luck, and needing care, nor was he merely the "eccentric talent" who only knew how to knock people with a black wok. He was the one who brought hope's light in desperation, the strong one who could unleash astonishing sword strikes! His mystery, his power, his natural counter-effect against demon cultivators, all cast a legendary aura over him.
Gratitude, admiration, trust... various emotions intertwined in the gazes looking at him. His prestige, in this small team, had reached its peak, even vaguely trending to surpass Eldest Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng and Third Senior Sister Liu Yun.
An older disciple walked before Xiao Qi, solemnly clasping his hands and bowing: "Junior Brother Xiao Qi, for saving my life, I will never forget!" This "Senior Brother" was called with wholehearted admiration.
"Right! Thank you, Junior Brother Xiao Qi!"
"If you have orders in the future, I will not refuse!"
Other disciples also came forward to express their sincere thanks. Even the usually proud Liu Yun nodded slightly at Xiao Qi, her eyes showing recognition. Mu Qingfeng, watching Xiao Qi surrounded by everyone, also revealed relief and complexity in his eyes. Xiao Qi's growth rate far exceeded his expectations.
Xiao Qi was somewhat overwhelmed by this sudden enthusiasm, hurriedly standing up and awkwardly waving his hands: "Don't be like this, everyone. We're all fellow disciples; supporting each other is only right. Without Eldest Senior Brother and Third Senior Sister holding back the strongest enemy, without everyone working together, I alone could have done nothing." His tone was sincere, with no trace of arrogance, which instead won him even more goodwill.
Watching Xiao Qi, still bearing the immaturity of youth yet able to erupt with heaven-supporting power at critical moments, everyone couldn't help but have a thought arise in their hearts: Qingxu Temple's future might truly rest upon this one.
Mourning the deceased, boosting morale, recognizing losses,凝聚人心. After this battle, though this team was scarred, its core had become more resilient and united. And the name Tang Xiao Qi had truly become one of the souls and spiritual pillars of this team.
Mu Qingfeng looked at the team that had重新凝聚, saying gravely: "The deceased are gone; the living must go on. We must carry Junior Disciple Zhang and Junior Disciple Li's unfulfilled wishes, proceeding even more carefully, completing the secret realm exploration, and bringing everything that happened here back to the sect!"
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison. Though not loud, the voice carried a determination and power of rebirth after destruction.
After resting and reorganizing, collecting their companions' remains, the team set out again, heading toward the secret realm's core area, even more cautiously and determinedly. Only this time, everyone unconsciously regarded that somewhat thin yet energy-filled youth figure as the most reliable barrier in times of danger.